Boat



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BOAT ...lll mllllh C. PETERS Oct. 24, 1950 Filed Feb. 1, 1947 /NvE/vro/P CARL PTERS oct. 24, 195o c. PETERS 2,527,327

` `Y BOAT Filed Feb. 1, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENI-OK CA a; P E11-:Rs

/QTv-OKNEY Patented Oct.- 24, 1950 vTENTv o'FFfcE-ffff BOAT l VCarl Peters, St. Louis, M0.

Application February 1, 1947, Serial No. '725,938

This invention relates generally to boats and more specifically to'boats provided with drums rotatably supported at the -bottoms ofthe boats and adapted to .facilitate passage of the boats along the water, the predominant object of the invention being to provide a boat of this type which is of such improved construction and arrangement that it is'capable of performing its intended function in an improved and highly ecient manner.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved boat of the present invention. v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the boat illustrated in Fig. lV j e' Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section of a portion of the boat illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l. v

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 6 6 ofl Fig. l.

Fig.` '7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 'I 'I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for purposes of illustration, merely, one embodiment ofthe invention, A designates theimproved boat generally. The boat A comprises a hull structure I which isprovided with 'a forwardvdeck 2, the forward portion of the boat being preferably shaped as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The hull I of the boat A is provided with a plurality of cavities 3, 4, 5a and 5b Which extend transversely of. said hull, said cavities being spaced longitudinally of the boat hull, as is shown tofgood advantage in Fig. 2. The cavities 3 and `4- are formed by curved portions B and 'I of the bottom wall of the boat hull and by removable, curved closure members 8 which extend in the case of each of the cavities 3 and 4 from the upper end'of the curved wall portion E to the upper end of the curved wall portion 1.

By referring to Fig. 3 it will be noted that an arcuate element 9 is associated with the curved wall portion Ii of the cavity 3 at the top thereof, said arcuate element 9 being extended transversely of the boat hull I and being welded, or otherwise secured to the upper portion of said curved wall portion 6 of the boat hull and to `opposite side portions I' of the boat hull.' Also, las is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the arcuate element 4 claims. (01.114-67) 9 has welded or otherwise secured thereto a pair of similar arcuate elements I0 whose outer ends may, if desired, be welded, orv otherwise secured, to the opposite side portions I of the boat hull, and whose inner ends are spaced apart, as is shown in Fig. 4. The removable closure member 8, shown in Fig. 3, is provided at one of its ends with an offset portion 8a which overlaps portions of the arcuate elements 9 and I0, and at its opposite end said removable closure member 8 is provided with a similar offset portion 8b which overlaps a portion of a transversely extended brace I I which is welded, or otherwise secured to the curved portion 'I o'f the boat hull. The offset portions Ba, and 8b are secured, respectively, by suitable fastening devices to the combined arcuate elements 9 I0 and to the brace I I. Also, the removable closure member is provided with elongated vent openings I2 through which air may pass from the interior of the cavity 3, said openings being formed by suitably slitting and oifsetting portions of the removable closure member 8 as is shown in Fig. 3;

The cavity 4 of the boat A is constructed in accordance with the details of construction of the cavity 3 as described above; that is to say said cavity 4 is provided with an arcuate element 9 which is `extended transversely of the boat and which is welded, or otherwise secured, to the top part of the curved wall portion 6 of said cavity 4 and to opposed side wall portions of the boat hull. Likewise, the arcuate element 9 has welded, or otherwise secured thereto, arcuate elongated elements I0 which extend transversely of the boat hull. Additionally, the curved, removable closure member 8 of the cavity 4 is provided with offset portions at its opposite ends which overlap and are respectively secured to the arcuate elements 9 and I0 and to a transversely extended brace II, said closure member being provided, also, with elongated vent open-'- ings I2.

The cavity arrangement at the rear of the boat A differs slightly in arrangement from the construction of the cavities 3 and 4 as previously described herein. In other words, the cavities 3 and 4 extend transversely of the boat hull I continuously from side to side thereof, while at the rear of the boat a pair of transversely alined cavities 5a and 5b are provided which are spaced apart at their inner ends (Fig. 1). The cavities 5a and 5b are constructed somewhat in accordance with the constructions of the cavities 3 and 4 in that each of said cavities 5a and 5h includes a curved wall portion I3which has welded, or

otherwise secured, to its upper end an elongated arcuate element I4, which resembles the arcuate element 9 of the cavities 3 and 4, these elongated, arcuate elements `I4 being welded, or otherwise secured, at their opposite ends to opposed side walls of the cavities 5a and 5b. Also, the elongated, arcuate elements I4 each has welded, or otherwise secured thereto, arcuate elements I5 which resemble the arcuate elements I0 of the cavities 3 'and 4. The rear portions of the cavities 5a 'and 5b are produced by hoods I6 which are shaped as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said hoods being removably secured in place by suitable fastening devices, and said hoods being pro Y vided with vent openings I6 formed therethrough.

A horizontai wail I9 (Fig. 6).'. isdisposed'inlthe space between the inner walls of the cavities v5a and 5b, said horizontal wall being welded, or

otherwise secured in place. The horizontal wall I9'has fsecured'thereto,^by welding or o-therwise anupwardlyzand rearwardly 'inclinedwall 2D which-is secured atfitsopposite edges to the irr-n trated by broken lines in Fig. 6 wherein the out-l board motor is designated by the referencevcharacterM/the clamping means M ofv the-outboard motor Mbeing adapted to clampinglyengage the upper portion of the inclinedwal-l 29 and-the plaleiZl.

At opposite sides of the cavity 3 :and of the cavity e bearing structures 22y are provided which support for rotation `within said `rcavities hollow,l cylindrical drums; the drum disposed 'within the cavity 3 being designated `by the reference character 23, while the 'drum' disposed withinfthe cavityV 4 is designated-by the reference character 24.4

Thedrums 23 and-'24 are air-tight and 4.watertight and are elongated, said drums being buoyant and being' extended transversely of. the cavities-3 and 4. Thebearing-structures 22F comprise each a pair of horizontally extended-'vertically spaced angle members -25 which are weldedy'or otherwisesecured, toan adjacent-sidewall :portion ofi the boathull `I, as is shown to good advantage in Fig. 7. Arranged adjacentto the pair of spacedimemb'ers 25 of each bearing structure 22is an arm 26, the related arms 26 of'each cavity-3 and 4 being :joined at-'corresponding ends thereof by a tie rod 2'If(Fig.'4). The-opposite end portionsfof the arms 26'1extend through alined apertures 28 formed through thearcuate. elements 9 andV I0, -as is shown in Figs. 3 and handsecured to the varcuate yelements I0 are 'bearings 29-bywhich thearrns 26 are supported for pivotal movement. The `bearings 29 comprise each a closed housing 30.which is provided with a flange portion 30' which is secured to the arcuate elements IIIL-the endy portions-of the arms Y26 being extended into the interiors ofthe bearing `housingsSU-and being pivotally connected `thereto by pivot-pins 3l, the openings in the housings 3D which receive the pivot Vpins being lsealed by plugs-3| (see upper` portion of Fig. 4).

In order to prevent ywater from entering the interior of the bearing housings 30 each armf26 has associated therewith a boot 32 which is formed of suitable flexible material. One end of each boot 32 is secured in a water-tight manner to' the arm 26 with which it is associated and its oppositeA end is secured in a water-tight manner to the related arcuate element 9 so that the latter end of said boot surrounds the openings 28 formed through the arcuate elements 9 and I9 through which the arm extends. The boots 32, because of their flexible character are capable of moving with the arms 26 with which they are related and they serve to effectively prevent water from passing through the openings 23 into the interior of the bearing housings 30.

Eachv of the drums 23'and 24ihas'vsecured to its opposite end walls flange structures 33 which support outwardly extended trunnions 34. The outer end portions of these trunnions project into bearing members 35 that are provided with flanges 35 which are secured to the related arms 26 by suitable fastening devices, and as a result of such arrangement the drums 23 and 24 are supported by the related arms 26 for free rotation about their axes. The related pair of members 25 of each bearing structure 22 has welded, or otherwisesecured. thereto,a substantially'lU- shaped member-36-,uand interposed between the, top, horizontal-leg ofV each U-shapedmember 36.

and the related-arm 26 is a `pair of coil .springs 38',the upper end portions of said..coi1.springs. being -seated in spring. seats 38a which arey asso.-

ciated with said top, horizontal legof -the.-U- shaped member 36 while the lower end portions of said coil springs are. seatedv incorresponding-v spring seats 38D associated with .therelated arm 26 (see'Fig. '7). Each -U-shaped .memberisfprovided with a rod 31 whichextends from,.top .to bottom of said 'U-.shaped member and limits inward movement of the related arm 26. Because of the arrangement described above the drums-23 and 24.are supported forverticalmovemennthe arms 26 swinging frometheir, pivots 3|. during such movement of saiddrumsandthe coil springs resisting and limiting upward movementof `said drums in an obvious manner.

Disposed within the cavities 5a and 6b atthe rear of the boat A is a pair of hollow .cylindrical drums 39 and A40....The drums r39 and 40 are. constructed in accordance with the` construction .of the. drums l23.5 and. 24. as previously described herein with the exception-that the drums39 and Ill` are .of substantially lesslength than .are the drums 23 and 24.'- Additionally, the .drums 39 and 49..are supportedattheir opposite ends `by bearing structures constructed in. accordance with the bearing. structures 22 .previously ,described herein. Thus, the. drums 39 and 40- are supported by their associated bearing structures for free rotation about their axes, and,.also, said drums 39fand 4U are capable of moving vertically, theY pivotally supported arms 26 by .which they are supported movingVY pivotally during. vertical movementof said drums,and thecoilsprings 38 resisting upward movementof the arms 26'and of the drums 39 andV 4ll.supportedthereby.

In order` to brace theboathulla .plurality of bracing elements 4I are extended longitudinally of said boat hull-at the'transverse center thereoffas is shownv to good advantage in Figs. .l and 2. Preferablythebracing elements are T-.shaped in cross-section and they are welded, or otherwise secured, tofinner faces of portions of the boat hull, Also, similar curved bracing elements 4I are secured to the closure members 8 at the transverse center thereof and these bracing elementsl 4I are alined longitudinally of the boat with the bracingelements4 I.

In the use of the improved boat ofy the present invention the forward curved portion Ia of thefbottom of theboat andi the-curved portions support the boat in the water and guide the water relative to the drums 23, 24, 39, and 40. These curved portions of the boat bottom are of extreme importance because in their absence the drums would drag in the water to such extent, during forward movement of the boat, as to seriously interfere with rapid movement of the boat through the water. However, with the curved portions present the water is directed thereby to the bottom portions of the drums whereby the boat is caused to travel rapidly at the surface of the water. Additionally, side wall portions of the hull of the boat are bowed outwardly, as indicated at 43 in Figs. 1, 2, and 8, so as to give stability t the boat in the water and render tipping of the boat'less likely.

The vent openings l2 of the closure members 8 of the cavities 3 and 4, and the vent openings I6' of the hoods IB of the cavities 5a. and 5b serve an important function in that said openings permit air to pass therethrough into andv from said cavities. In other words, when one of the cavities moves above the surface of the water and then dives downwardly into the water no air is trapped within the cavity which would interfere with downward movement of the boat in the water as the air within the cavity vis permitted to pass from the cavity through the vent openings. In like manner suction created within a cavity 3, 4, a, or 5by by :upward movement of the boat causes air to be sucked into the cavity through the vent openings. Another important feature of.- the present invention arises from the fact that the drums 23, 24, 39 and 40 are capable of moving upwardly with the pivoted arms by which they are supported and against the forces ex-erted by the coil springsV 33. Thus, shocks caused by the drums striking the surface of the water, waves, or submerged obstructions are materially lessened whereby the operating eiiciency of the boat is increased and the drums are protected from injury.

I claim;

1.; A boat comprising a, hull provided with a cavity formed therein which is extended transversely'of said hull from side to side thereof and is open at the bottom thereof, a hollow cylindrical drum disposed in said cavity and extended from side to side of said hullwith the lower portion of said drum extending below the bottom of said hull, means for supporting said drum for free rotation about its axis and for Vertical movement within said cavity, said drum supporting means including pivotally supported arms disposed at opposite ends of said' drum, bearing elements on said arms, trunnions for rotatably connecting said'drum to said bearing elements, vertically posed, and spring means engaging said pivotally supported arms and certain of said vertically spaced elements for resisting upward movement of said arms, and a curved hull portion leading rearwardly of said hull t0 said cavity for directing water to the lower portion of said drum.

2. A boat comprising a hull provided with a cavity formed therein which is extended transversely of said hull from side to side thereof and is open at the bottom thereof, a hollow cylindrical drum disposed in said cavity and extended from side to side of said hull with the lower portion of said drum extending below the bottom of said hull, means for supporting said drum for free rotation about its axis and for vertical movement within said cavity, said drum supporting means including pivotally supported arms disposed at opposite ends of said drum, means for excluding water from the pivots of said pivotally supported arms, bearing elements on said arms, trunnions for rotatably connecting said drum to said bearing elements, vertically spaced elongated elements at opposite ends of said drum which are arranged substantially parallel with respect to said pivotally supported arms and between which said arms are disposed, and spring means engaging said pivotally supported arms and certain 0f said vertically spaced elements for resisting upward movement of said arms, and a curved hull portion leading rearwardly'of Said hull to said cavity for directing water to the lower portion of said drum.

, 3. A boat comprising a hull provided with a cavity formed therein which extends transversely of said hull from side to side thereof and which is open at the bottom of said hull, a removable closure member forming a wall portion of said cavity, a hollow cylindrical drum disposed in said cavity and extended from side to side of said hull with the lower portion of said drum extending below the bottom of said hull, means for supporting said drum for rotation about its axis, and a curved hull portion leading rearwardly of said hull to said cavity for directing water to the lower portion of said drum.

4. A coat comprising a hull provided with a cavity formed therein which is open at the bottom of said hull and which extends transversely of said hull from side to side thereof, a hollow cylindrical drum disposed in said cavity and extended fro'm side to side of said hull with the lower portion of said drum extending ,below the Vand curved hull portions leading rearwardly of said hull to the first-mentioned cavity and to each of said pair of cavities for directing water to r the lower portions of the drums disposed within said cavities.

CARL PETERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 608,565 Ahern Aug. 9, 1898 1,047,271 Mitchell Deo. 17, 1912 1,258,428 Marling Mar. 5, 1918 2,318,789 Lombardini May 11, 1,943

2,413,173 Cote Dec. 24', 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,561 Great Britain July 7, 1891 138,178 Switzerland May 1, 1930 293,302 Italy Feb. 17, 1932 

